Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
SOC code 29-2011 · O*NET-SOC 29-2011.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Healthcare
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$62,930
a year
Hourly
$30.26
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$67,350
$32.38 per hour
Middle 50%
$47,650 – $81,450
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$38,910 – $100,990
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
332,940
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $38,910
- $18.71/hr
- 25th percentile
- $47,650
- $22.91/hr
- Median percentile
- $62,930
- $30.26/hr
- 75th percentile
- $81,450
- $39.16/hr
- 90th percentile
- $100,990
- $48.55/hr
What do medical and clinical laboratory technologists do?
Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
- Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
- Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
- Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
- Collect and study blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, or their blood group, blood type, or compatibility for transfusion purposes, using microscopic techniques.
- Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.
- Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
- Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 52% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree52%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree32%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate14%
- Some College Courses2%
Common questions
How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn?
The national median is $62,930 a year. The full range runs from $38,910 at the 10th percentile to $100,990 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a medical and clinical laboratory technologists without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Science4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Monitoring3.5/5
- Active Learning3.4/5
Knowledge areas
- Chemistry4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Computers and Electronics4.1/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Biology3.9/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Administrative3.9/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.8/5
Transferable strengths: Quality Control Analysis, Operations Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Operation and Control.